Word Origin & History

whip mid-13c., wippen "flap violently," from P.Gmc. *wipp- (cf. Dan. vippe "to raise with a swipe," M.Du., Du. wippen "to swing," O.H.G. wipf "swing, impetus"), from PIE *wib- "move quickly." The noun is attested from early 14c. In parliamentary use from 1850 (the v3rb in this sense is recorded from 1742), from the sense in fox-hunting. The parliamentary whip's duty originally was to ensure the attendance of party members on important occasions. The cookery sense is from 1670s. Whipping boy first recorded 1640s; whipping block is from c.1877. Whip-saw is attested from 1530s; whip snake first recorded

Example Sentences for whipping

Ezra Ray could not have faced a whipping any more courageously than Ephraim.

"Well, well," George said, whipping up the brasses with his cigar.

All around Palermo spread the tents, bright pavilions of silk with broad pennons above, whipping the slow south wind.

She had decided on the vanilla and was whipping it briskly in.

To speak ill of the Governor and Council or of the justices of the peace, was declared a high crime, punishable by whipping.

"That's more like it," chuckled Roberts, whipping out his notebook.

Now, you just let me hear two words more out of your head about going away—only two more—an' I'll show you what a whipping is.

She was like a dog which after a whipping tries to curry favor with its master.

Tell me a boy doing such a senseless thing as that doesnt deserve a whipping?